Rodrigo y Gabriela are celebrating after winning their first ever Grammy Award at Monday night’s ceremony in Los Angeles.
The acoustic guitar duo from Mexico – who spent much of their early career in Dublin – picked up the award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for their fifth studio record Mettavolution, which was released on Dublin label Rubyworks.
Rodrigo y Gabriela – who have remained friends after ending their romantic relationship in 2012 – have thousands of Irish fans after their eight-year stay in Dublin, where they started out by busking on Grafton Street.
After befriending Damien Rice and David Gray, they became one of the best-loved and most popular live acts in the country with their signature blend of Spanish acoustic guitar and heavy metal influences, regularly selling out venues like Vicar Street and the Olympia.
They went on to perform for Barack Obama at the White House and sell over a million-and-a-half records worldwide.
The band’s manager and label founder, Dubliner Niall Muckian said: "Having worked with Rod and Gab since they arrived in Ireland, they've really earned this award.
“They've travelled a long way from busking on Grafton Street and are a living testament to the power of hard graft, following their own path and boundless imagination."
